Leg splint



C, ALLEN LEG SPLINT Dec. 17, 1935.

Filed Feb. 24, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet` 1 NN@ MFN www. NUN

Dec. 11, 1935.

c.` l. ALLEN LEG SPLINT Filed Feb. 24, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet, 2 v

AME/w c. l. ALLEN LEG SPLINT Dec. 17, 1935.

Filed Feb.' 24, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1':y

Patented Dec. `17, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE i LEG SPLINT iCharles I. Allen, Wadesboro, N. C.

Application February 24, 1932, Serial No. 594,795

10 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to a splint to be used in fractures of thelower extremity.

Usually when a bone of theV lower extremity is fractured the pull of themuscles, which are under constant tension, causes an overriding of theends of the fractured bone. This, in turn, causes shortening of the legcombined with lateral, anterior or posteriordisplacement of the ends ofthe fractured bone. The aim of treatment is to correct this deformity inevery direction and to hold the ends of the fractured bone in thiscorrected position until union of the ends of the fractured bone takesplace. Ordinarily this overriding of the ends of a fractured bone isovercome by applying adhesive straps to the leg to which are attachedweights which gradually tire out the muscles and in four or ve daysovercome the overriding of the fractured bone. It would be to theadvantage of the patient if this overriding could be corrected at once,but if sufficient weight is applied to the adhesive straps to accomplishthis, the adhesive straps will pull off of the leg as it will not standa trac'tive force greater than forty pounds. It usually requires a muchgreater tractive force than forty pounds to accomplish this. After theoverriding of the ends of the fractured bone has been corrected aconstant tractive force is still necessary to keep the fractured endsfrom overriding again until union takes place. But it does not requireas great a tractive force to hold the position after it is corrected asit does to do the initial correcting.

This splint provides means for applying any amount of tractive forcethat may be necessary to overcome any overriding of the ends of thefractured bone, separate and apart from the adhesive straps. After theoverriding is overcome by this means, then weight is applied to theadhesive straps to hold the bones in the corrected position untilhealing takes place.

Means are also provided to correct any lateral, anterior, or posteriordisplacement that may be present. f

Means are also provided -so that, in any case.

(Cl. 12S-85) tion can be corrected and held until union takes place.

Means are also provided in connection with the ring of this splintwhereby the patient is-prevented from turning the splint over, By having5 the ring so fixed, the foot end of the splint can be swung from anoverhead frame, and it is not necessary to haveany support at the footend of the splint to prevent the patient from turning the splint over.Any attachment at the foot vend of the splint for this purpose preventsthe swinging of this end of the splint by overhead means, which is theideal way to do.'

'I'he non-turning means also by resting on the bed interferes withchanging the bed linen. Arrangement is made so that the rod on innerside of the splint can be turned down toward the foot and permit the useof bed pan Without having to unscrew the rod.

This splint also provides means for holding the 2o ends of the adhesivetape at the foot, and by being adjustable, can be adjusted to any widthof foot so that adhesive tapes will not press on ankle bones. It alsoprovides means for attaching tractive means to the adhesive tapes.

This splint also provides cus which slip on the lateral bars and havemeans for securely holding the webbing which supports the leg, means foreasily adjusting this webbing, and also means for applying lateral,anterior and posterior pressure to any part of the leg. f

This splint also provides a foot piece which holds the foot up, preventsthe foot drop, it also prevents the foot from turning to the right orleft,

thus keeping the foot in proper alinement with the leg at all times. Itfurther prevents the bed cover from resting on patients toes.

This splint can be used for right orleft leg by simpl-y turning ringover. By the use of rings of varying circumferences and lateral bars ofvarying lengths, a splint of suitable size can be assembled for anypatient, as all parts are standardized for the rectangular bars.

' Some of the objects of the invention uhaving been stated, otherobjects will appear as the description proceeds when taken 'inconnection'with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a sideelevation of my improved leg splint;

Figure 2 is a lplan view of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a support adapted to be secured toeach of the longitudinal members of the splint; .f/

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 in Figure2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged view taken along the line 6-6 in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a view of the adhesive holding means;

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view taken alon the line 8-8 in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is an enlarged detailed view partially in cross section of aportion of the ring and the means for preventing turning of the splint;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the left hand end of the structure shown inFigure 2,` but showing the initial traction applying means;

Figure 11 is a view taken along the line I I-I l in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a view showing the web supporting buckle secured in oneposition;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a wrench for operating the mechanismshown in Figure 10;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of member 18;

Figure 15 is a plan view of the central portion of my splint showingmeans for' applying pressure on the bones in the leg;

Figure 16 is a side elevation looking from the lower side of Figure 1'5;

Figure 17 is an enlarged detail view of one of the members forsupporting the bone-piercing members shown in Figure 15;

. Figure 18 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line I8-I8 inFigure 17;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of the turnbuckle for spreading the legpiercing pins apart from each other;

Figure 20 is a view of the bone piercing member made integral and havingthe same general outline as the sectional pin in Figure 18.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numeral I0 indicates aring adapted to t around the base of the leg and this member I0 hasprojections I I and I2 projecting from one side thereof and alsoprojections I3 and I4 projecting from another side thereof and the ringIIl is covered with any suitable resilient material such as felt, cloth,leather or rubber and the like indicated by I5. By turning the ring I0over, it can be used for right or left leg.

The members I I and I3 are threaded interiorly and have secured thereina member I6 which member I6 has threadably secured therein an extendedrcd I1. The members I2 and I4 are rigid with relation to member I0 andare adapted to threadably receive an extended rod I8, the purpose ofrods I1 and I8 being to prevent turning of the leg of the patient andthe splint while the patient is reclining in bed. It also vpermits thefoot end of the splint to be swung by a rope or other means from anoverhead frame and still prevents patient from turning splint over. Thepurpose of having rod I1 turnably mounted as shown in Figure 9, is forswinging this rod out of the position shown in Figures 1 and` 2 wherethey occupy a parallel position to the dotted line angular positionshown in Figure 2 so that this member I1 can be swung out of obstructiveposition when the patient desires to use a bed pan.

Ring member I0 has a bent portion indicated by reference character 28which is adapted to fit the pubic bone. Ring member Ill has projectingtherefrom a portion 2I pivotally mounted with a plurality of holestherein to which is adapted to be secured rectangular hollow side member23 by means of a screw 22 piercing members 2I and 23.

Also a projection 24 extends from the other side of ring member` Ill andhas pivotally mounted as at 25 a member 26 which has `a plurality ofholes therein thru which a screw 21 may be passed, said screw alsopenetrating side member 5 28 which extends the same distance as sidemember 23 and forms the two main side members of my splint. Y

Adjustably mounted on the members 23 and 28 are a plurality of bucklemembers 29 which l0 buckle members 29 have a set screw 30 in the lowerportion thereof adapted to be used for clamping the buckle member 29onto the members 23 or the member 28 as the case may be. These bucklemembers 29 have slots 3| and 32 therein in an up- 15 wardly projectingportion 34, and this buckle member has laterally projecting portions 35and 36 (see Fig. 12) having a -pin 38 therein in which is pivotallymounted a serrated clamping member 31. Ihese buckle ymembers 29 areadapted to sup- 20 port suitable web material 40 or any other suitablematerial for supporting the leg between the side members 23 and 28` Whenused as an ordinary support, the piece of fabric 40 is buckled by meansof buckle member 25 31 and it pases thru the lower slot 32 and beneaththe leg and thru slot 32 on the other buckle member and passes under theserrated clamping member 31 to secure the lsai-ne as an ordinarysupport. 30

If lateral traction is desired to be applied to the leg where the boneis out of alinement so as to bring the ends of the bone into alinementto cause j a proper reknitting of the bone at the fractured point, thenthe web 40 (see Fig. 3) is secured 35 under the outside buckle 29 and ispassed beneath the leg and thru lower slot 32 in the inside buckle backthru the upper slot 3I of the inside buckle andagain beneath the leg andaround on top of the leg and over the top of projection 34 o'f 40 insidebuckle and secured in position by the serrated clamping means on theinside buckle whereby lateral traction will be applied `to pull thatportion of the leg inwardly toward the other leg, whereas, if oppositelateral traction is-desired to 45 be applied, the webbing 40 would beplaced around the leg in the opposite direction.

A suitable foot board 4I is adapted to be secured to the side members 23and 28 by means of cuffs 42 and 43 being adjustably secured by 5o meansof set screws 44 and 45 on members 28 and 23 and these members 42 and 43have upwardly projecting spaced lugs 46 and 41 for lug 42 and 48 and 49for lug 43 and a suitable bolt 50 is passed thru the portions 48 and 49and another 5:, suitable bolt 5I is passed thru portions 46 and 41 thruslots 52 and 53 respectively to secure foot board 4I in position.

Foot board 4I has a plurality of slots 54 on one side thereof andanother set of slots 55 on the 60 other side thereof thru whichsupporting means 56 maybe secured and passed around the upper portion ofthe foot of the patient for holding it in' upright position andpreventing the foot r from turning to right or left. The foot board 4Ihas a downwardly projecting central portion '51 which is narrow enouglrto allow the pieces overlapped at its edges, in which overlappingportion the member 63 is adapted to have a sliding iit.

Member 64 has a slot 65 therein and member 63 also has a slot 66 thereinwhich is pierced by a bolt 61 having a thumb nut 68 thereon which boltis shouldered as at 69 and has a hook 10 thereon which is adapted to beengaged by a cord 12 which is adapted to be passed over a pulley 13secured in brackets 14 and 15 secured as at 1B and 11 to cross member 18which is secured to ends of members 23 and 28 by means of thumb nuts 19and 80 respectively.

The ends of members 23 and 28 are plugged and are interiorly threaded tothreadably receive the thumb nuts 19 and 80. Thumbnuts 19 and 80penetrate elongated slots 83 and 84 in member 18 whereby the distancebetween the ends of members 23 and 28 may be adjusted. The cord 12extends downwardly and has a suitable weight 8| secured thereon to whichmay be added any desired additional weights 82 to supply a steadytractive force to the leg with the splint.

A conventional method of suspending the end of the splint is by means ofsuspending it from the bed, ceiling, and the like, but if desired, I

may support the ends of members=23 and128 byV having a. plate 85 to'whichis secured a bracket 86 which has an upturned inturned portion towhich is pivotally secured a member 81 by means of bolt and thumb nut88, said member 81 having a plurality of holes 89 therein, wherein acuff 98 may be adjusted by means of thumb bolts 9| and 92 and theopening 93 is adapted to receive the member 23 or member 28 as the casemay be as one o'f these arrangements as shown in Figure 4 will bedisposed on each of the members 23 and 28 for supporting the leg of thepatient in elevated position if desired, and the angle of elevation maybe regulated by means of holes 89 and the cuff 90.

In order tol apply any amount of tractive force that may be necessary toovercome the overriding of the fractured ends of a bone, or to reduce adislocation of a bone, I have devised attachment shown in Figure l0.This will apply any amount of tractive force necessary for this purpose,separate and apart from the adhesive straps which are to carry thecontinuous traction until union is secured, for usually these adhesivestraps will pull off of the leg if suicient traction is applied to themto produce immediate reduction of overriding or dislocation. Bypartially loosening bolts 80 and 19, this attachment is slipped on andheld to end piece 18 by tightening bolts 88 and 19. Then pieces ofwebbing 95 and 96 are looped around lower end of leg as shown at 91 and98.

The above described initial traction is applied after the adhesive isapplied to the leg as these straps or webbing 95 and 96 are passed thrua slot 99 in a round member |00 rotatably mounted in a U`shaped bracket|0| which bracket is secured to end piece18 by thumb screws 19 and 80,and one end of round member |08 has mounted thereon a ratchet wheel |02with a pawl |03 pivoted as at |04 and spring pressed by spring |05 tocause it to ride against ratchet |02 at all times.

The member has a squared portion |06 over which the squared hole |01 ofwrench |08 is adapted to be fitted and after the web members 95 and 96are passed thru slot 99, rotation can be imparted to member |00 and anydesired degree of pull can be applied to the leg because the pull is notbeing exerted on the adhesivev but directly to the leg.

' After the required amount of force has been applied to overcome anyoverriding of the ends of the fractured bone, then the member composedof portions 63 and 64 can be placed in position as shown in Figures land 2 and the elastic 58 and 59 is passedthru buckles 6| and 62 andsecured as shown in Figure 2 and the Weight can be attached thereto andafter this is done the tractive force exerted by round member |00 andwebs 95 and 96 can be released and thus the bone can be properly set andaligned immediately after treatment is begun without waiting severaldays for the pulling force of the weight or a spring exerting a forcebelow thirty ve pounds to cause proper alinement of the bone.

In Figures to 20 inclusive, is shown an attachment on bars 23 and 28which can be used for reducing and holding the fractured ends of a bonein those cases having extensive injuries to the soft parts, which wouldprohibit the use of adhesive ror other straps for applying the tractiveforce, or for any other cause where the fracture could not be reducedand held by external tractive measure.

Figure-#.15 shows the carrying cuffs ||0, which are more fully shown inFigure 17.

Each member ||0 is adapted to be secured in adjusted position on members23 and 28 respec-tively by means of a thumb nut ||4 appearing in thebotom of each of said members. Each of said members has a portion ||5which has a passageway therethrough similar to the passageway ofport-ion 29 of the buckle adapted to have a. sl'ding fit on members 23and 28 respectively.

On the upper portion of each of these members ||0, vertically disposedslots I' occur and these are adapted to receive the squared portions ||1of threaded members ||8 or ||9 as the care may be, said member ||9having a squared opposite direction so that the pair of members i ||0may be spread apart from each other.

The upper portion of each of these members |||l has a transverselydisposed slot |22 therein and a threaded bolt |23 is mounted in verticalrelation and has a nut |24 mounted in slot |22. The bolt |23 projectsdownwardly and is pierced at its lower end by one of the pins |25 whichpin has vertical movement in vertical slot |29, said pin having ashoulder |26 thereon into which is threadably secured the piercing pin|21 which pierces the bone of the leg and this pin |21 has a hele |28therein thru which a small pin or nail may be placed for engaging thesame to pull the pn |21 from the leg when it is desired to move the pinfrom the bone of the leg.

Portion |25 is threaded and has mounted thereonanut |30 by means ofwhich the portion |25 with its shoulder |26 may be advanced against thebone for exerting lateral pressure thereon. The pc-rtion |25 also has ahole |3| therein thru which a pin or other suitable means may beinserted for withdrawing this from the esh portion of the leg when it isdesired to disassemble the parts from the leg after the bone has healedandthe treating operation is over.

If desired, the piercing means can be made all in one piece as shown inFigure 20 where portions |21a and |25a are integral and have a shoulderportion 26a; integral therewith. One reason for making this piercing pinin two parts is that it can be separated and withdrawn from the bonewithout drawing exposed portions of the pin thru the bone.

In the drawings andspeciflcation, there has been set forth a preferredembodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth inthe appended claims.

I claim,

1. In a leg splint having a limb encircling member and side memberssecured at one end to said limb encircling member, means on said sidemembers for applying longitudinal, lateral, posterior and anteriortraction to the fractured leg, comprising a pair of bone piercingmembers adapted to pass entirely through the two portions of thefractured leg, means adjustably mounted on the side members forsupporting said bone piercing members, means for movingl saidbone-piercing'members longitudinally of the leg, means for moving saidbone piercing members vindependently of each other posteriorly andanteriorly of the leg and means for moving said bone-piercing membersindependently of each other laterally of the leg.

2. Means for applying longitudinal, lateral, posterior and anteriortraction to a fractured limb which comprises a pair of side barsdisposed on each side of the limb, a pair of spaced cuffs slidablymounted on each side bar, each of said cuffs having a verticallydisposed slot therein,

each of said cuiis also having a vertically disposed guideway in thesides thereof Aoccupying a position above the side bar, a verticallydisposed threaded member mounted in each cuff, a nut on each threadedmember for adjusting said threaded member vertically with relation tothe culi, a bone piercing member slidably mounted in said threadedmember at one end and being mounted in an opposed cuff at its other end,a shoulder iixedly mounted on the bone piercing member adapted to fitagainst the bone, means for adjusting the position of the bone piercingmember laterally with relation to the threaded member, expansible meansmounted in said guideways and connecting the cuffs on a side bar foradjusting the position of said cuffs on said side bars.

3. In a leg splint having side bars and transverse supports secured tothe bars for supporting the leg of a patient, means mounted on the barsfor imparting lateral, longitudinal, posterior and anterior traction tothe two portions of a fractured leg, said means comprising a pair ofcuffs mounted on each bar with means for adjusting the position of thecuffs on said bars with relation to each other, bone piercing meansmountedin each of said cuffs on one bar and extending through the boneto a cuff on the other side bar, means for adjusting the position ofsaid piercing members with relation to said cuffs, the bonepiercingmembers having a fixed shoulder thereon for fitting against the bone.

4. In aleg splint having a limb encircling member' and side bars securedto the said member, a pair of projections on opposedportions of saidmember, said projections being hollow and being interiorly threaded, athreaded member mounted in said projections, each threaded member havinga. transverse interiorly threaded hole therethrough, a rod/'threadablysecured in said transverse hole whereby said rod may be swung with saidprojection as a pivot.

5. Means for applying universal traction to both portions of a fracturedbone comprising means for supporting the limb of a patient, a pair ofmembers adapted to be passed entirely through the bone and the leg,means supported by the means for supporting the limb of the patient andassociated with the ends of the members for supporting and moving theends of the members relative to each other in both horizontal andvertical planes, each of said members having a fixed shoulder thereonfor engaging said bone.

6. Means for applying traction to fractured bones in limbs of patientscomprising a pair of members adapted to be passed entirely through thebone on opposite sides of the break, means for supporting the membersand the limb of the patient, means on the ends of the members for movingthe members relative to each other, each of said members having a fixedshoulder thereon for engaging said bone.

7. Apparatus for setting fractures in bones in limbs of patientscomprising a pair of separated members adapted to be passed through theleg and bone, means for supporting the members and the als limb of thepatient, means on both ends of the separated members for moving theseparated members and the bone pierced thereby independent of the otherof the separated members, each of said members having a fixed shoulderthereon E for engaging said bone.

8. Means for applying traction to a fractured bone in limbs of patientscomprising a pair of piercing members adapted to be passed through thebone on opposite sides of the fracture, means 4 for supporting themembers and/the limb of the patient, means on both ends of the bonepiercing members for adjusting the bone piercing members relative toeach other, each of said members having a fixed shoulder thereon forengaging said4 bone.

9. Means for applying traction to a fractured bone in the limb of apatient comprising a pair of bone piercing members adapted to be passedentirely through the bone on opposite sides of the fracture, means forsupporting the members and the limb of the patient, means on at leastone end of the bone piercing members for adjusting the bone piercingmembers relative to each other, each of said members having a fixedshoulder thereon for engaging said bone.

10. The method of repairing a fractured bone which includes the steps ofpiercing the soft parts surrounding the fractured bone with a pluralityof drills and driving said drills through the bone and the soft parts atpoints on opposite sides of the fracture so that said drills protrudefrom the .soft parts at both ends, providing means directly engaging thebone to prevent axial slipping of said drills through the bone,manipulating said drills to bring the sections of the fractured boneinto abutting registry, and mechanically holding said drills in adjustedpositions to hold said bone sections in such abutting registrythroughout a knitting period.

CHARLES I. ALLEN.

